One Fifth Avenue
by Candace Bushnell
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Book Reviews of One Fifth Avenue
Book Review: Wonderful read about social status
Summary: 4 Stars
Having not been too impressed with the book Sex and the City, but being a HUGE fan of the show and also of Lipstick Jungle, I decided to pick this one up. All I have to say that I am really glad that I did.
Yes, there are alot of characters and several different stories built into the plot, but it all truly fits together. Candace Bushnell's writing style also leaves nothing to complain about. She really drew me into a story that could have been quite complicated with all the different characters, but like I said it fits together beautifully.
The story is basically about life in an apartment building on Fifth Avenue as the title states. This is a very coveted building to live on this posh street. It seems there is someone ready to move in or dreaming of the day they can move in when an apartment becomes availabe, and this is exactly what happens when an older lady in penthouse apartment dies. Turns out a nouveau rich by hedge fund couple moves into the wanted apartment, and there are a few residents not happy about it. This is the main story, but within this are several little stories that tie together about a handful of the residents in the building.
The main theme of the book, I believe is looking at the lives of the upper crust of New York society. Those who are a part such as the aunt, those who would like to be included such as Mindy Gooch and Lola, and those who are new to the society such as the hedge fund couple. And there is also the fridge of the society, namely, Billy, who is part of the society but only for what he can do for others.
I get this feeling there is still somewhat of a bias of the nouveau rich from the old money in this society. If you have money you will be accepted, but sometimes at arms length.
Candace Bushnell gives great insight into the lives of the posh and the wanna be's of the posh side of New York City. If you enjoy her other works or shows based on her works give this one a try.
Book Review: Sexier Than Edith Wharton
Summary: 5 Stars
I had never read a Candace Bushnell novel before this and never seen a complete episode of Sex and the City, though I had heard of it. I've been disappointed by most of the recent (and ballyhooed) novels I've read. But on previewing an excerpt of One Fifth in Vogue, I was intrigued by the profoundly shallow character of Lola Fabrikant, a fabricated girl with a name to match. Now on reading the book, I am genuinely impressed. Candace Bushnell is a true storyteller, and that's no small praise. She's written a pageturner, crafted memorable characters, imbued them with individuality and personality, and given them the most luscious lines to speak. Her subject is not sex despite what you may think, and though there is considerably more explicitness than in Edith Wharton or Jane Austen (you may skip, as I did, the overly anatomical descriptions), Bushnell's real subject is the pursuit of status and success in New York City at the present moment. Many have tried this subject before, but the Jayne Krentzes and Rona Jaffes of the past were hacks compared to Bushnell. She's not an artist, but she is very clever and even wise. And she spins a darn good story, which is what a novel, to me, should be about. Almost every character in One Fifth Avenue is lacking his heart's desire, is deeply dissatisfied, and these frustrated desires, which conflict with those of their neighbors, drive the plot lines of the novel. The greatest desire of all is not for love, but for real estate, in the form of a penthouse triplex at One Fifth Avenue, up for sale after the death of its centenarian socialite owner, felled on her own terrace in a driving rainstorm. A crowning irony is that this aged doyenne who possesses the acme of desire, the immense apartment atop Manhattan's coveted address, dies of pneumonia because her servants can't locate her in time in the 7,000 square foot apartment. Such is the futility of possession.Book Review: Not for the television watcher
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read a lot of reviews about this book that were disappointed since they were "avid watchers of SATC and Lipstick Jungle". Not the same as the books, frankly. ANyone who has read SATC, knows that Carrie Bradshaw was originally not a main character, just a rather interesting one. Lipstick jungle, while having the same characters as the show was also rather different than the book. People need to remember that writing a book that is meant to be read is a rather different endeavor than writing one that is meant to be turned into television viewing or vice versa. Things change drastically for the small and big screen versus what is meant to be read.
With that being said, I think that One Fifth Avenue would make an excellent movie although I hope it never makes it onto the screen. I loved that it was a book, I loved this book a lot. I'm rather young, 26, but the social commentary about noveau riche people in their late 20's and early 30's was pretty dead on accurate. In fact, I felt all her characters were spot on, well fleshed out, and each story line given proper resolution- all things I need out of a good book. It was entertaining and thought provoking and a great character study of life in the early 21st century. It was definitely juicy too, though I have to agree that some of the sexual content got a little tasteless, but gotta keep all types interested. I think this is one of her best, most refined pieces of writing. It's not for everyone and that's ok. For people who adore Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes or Gossip Girl (books not the show) with all the blatant label and name dropping and easily resolved storylines, this isn't going to be your cup of tea. I definitely agree that this is a fine comparison to the great Edith Wharton.
Book Review: when's the move in date?
Summary: 4 Stars
Knowing when to poke fun at her own craft, Candace Bushnell springs forth yet another tale of elite New York womanhood and their Amazonian destruction on modern society. Their tongues wag, their credit cards fly, and their lipsticks smirk in this fun farce revolving around a New York apartment building set smack at the beginning of Fifth Avenue.
It is clear before the prologue concludes that one never really emotes to any of these people and the sycophants that cling to them for the publicity they could potentially offer. It's in this apathetic nature that their story unfolds before you on the page, playing out in five brilliant acts of campy glee. These women are truly wretched and you can't help but feel a bit like two of the characters in the novel: Lola Fabrikant and Thayer Core. Both are lurking around the perimeter of this expansive co-op, longing to be a part of the glitz and glamour despite the unfortunate incidents that occur inside. A dried up mogul, a magazine empress, a recovering author, an actress returning from Los Angeles failure, a hedge-fund tycoon with his endearingly naïve wife, and a best-selling author are all splayed out for these ripe young characters to leach on with us, siphoning out every last drop of what's left!
Ms. Bushnell is methodical with "One Fifth Avenue" and delivers the goods, with such an aloof air, you can't help but feel guilty for not caring an ounce for anyone involved. The fact that she shares in your glee and understands New York's own humoristic absurdity only keeps you coming back for more.
I finished this novel with the need to live inside this fictitious fabrication she had made! Here's to hoping someone else will move in and give us a sequel to latch onto!
Book Review: Hated it (some spoiler info)
Summary: 1 Stars
I'm not a big Candace Bushnell fan but I do appreciate a light, fluffy, juicy book about NYC inhabitants now and again. However, when the character Mindy was talking about the family finances totaling ~700K or so and that just not being enough for "her world" I just wanted to b***h slap the character and say get over it and throw the book down. However, I slogged on hoping that something interesting would happen. It didn't
The actions of the Mindy and James characters did not match the income - you can live quite well on what she would make - and save. I guess ego and appearance got in the way? But the author made it sound like they had nothing - 10 yr old sheets - come on. I have sheets newer than 10 yrs old and I'm not even close to the same tax bracket. OK - they have a son who they are sending to a $35K/yr school so maybe that explains it.
And the Lola character. OK maybe this is just the older generation (sorry Ms. Bushnell) trying to portray the younger generation (that they don't quite understand) but while we can debate about the "me-ness" or self-centeredness of the younger generations, the portrayal of a shallow character does not have to be shallow itself. I can't believe that characters who are supposed to be so rich and intelligent (especially authors and actresses) have not read the internet enough to understand or at least hear about blogs, tweets, sms, etc. It seems that the other characters may do these things (sms and blog) but only Lola is demeaned for her use of these tools - maybe because her uses are shallow and the others uses are supposed to be utilitarian and/or important?
I can't go on. I absolutely hated this book. And I read the entire thing.